Makerere University will not allow staff that abscond from duty to remain on the institution’s payroll, the vice chancellor prof. Barnabas Nawangwe has warned.
Addressing the press at the campus this morning, Prof. Nawangwe clarified on media reports that the university unfairly fired some staff last month.
“I therefore wish to clarify that all disciplinary cases arose out of decision of the University Appointments Board acting in accordance with Section 50 (3) & (4) of Universities and other Tertiary institutions Act 2001 (as Amended)” Nawangwe said.
He adds that majority of the affected staff were those absconding from duty, some as far back as 2010. He also supports the decision by the university board, explaining that it was in line with its mandate clearing backlog of disciplinary cases. “All cases were properly handled in accordance with the law and all those affected were given an opportunity for a fair hearing” he clarifies.
On December 22nd, the university sacked 45 staff. While these have threatened to petition parliament over what they term as unfair dismissal from duty, Prof. Nawangwe has encouraged them to appeal to the Makerere University Staff Tribunal for legal redress.
“The staff tribunal provides a forum for aggrieved members of staff to be heard by an independent team of persons, led by a qualified member of the Justice department of Uganda” the VC advises.
Some of the sacked staff include controversial researcher Prof. Stella Nyanzi who is currently in Luzira for attacking the person of the president on social media.
